SOUNDBITE: Marc Garneau, transport minister PLACELINE: Ottawa CREDIT: The Canadian Press STORYLINE: Canada is imposing dollar-for-dollar tariff ``countermeasures'' on up to $16.6 billion worth of U.S. imports in response to the American decision to make good on its threat of similar tariffs against Canadian-made steel and aluminum.

The tariffs, which apply to a long list of U.S. products that includes everything from flat-rolled steel to playing cards and felt-tipped pens, will go into effect July 1, Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland told a news conference Thursday.

``This is $16.6 billion of retaliation,'' Freeland said.

``This is the strongest trade action Canada has taken in the post-war era.

This is a very strong response, it is a proportionate response, it is perfectly reciprocal.

This is a very strong Canadian action in response to a very bad U.S. decision.''